Graduation season is one month away for our seniors. This is an exciting time for students and hopefully, you are ending your academic career with some sort of plan. Students have received job offers, others have plans to move away, and some are applying for graduate programs. Whatever your future plans are, this time of change is scary, not only for you but also for the relationships you have formed here in Blacksburg over the past few years. Whether you are graduating or you love a graduate, the idea of moving on from the relationships you have formed over the past years can be heart-wrenching.
Conversations about graduation have been happening all around me recently. Most of my best friends here are seniors who have opportunities all over the country. Now, of course, I am beyond excited about the new chapter my friends will be starting. They all have big plans for the future, but selfishly, come next August my life and social circle are going to look a lot different, and it pains me to know that they are moving on from it.
As the months go by and graduation creeps closer and closer, I have been trying to actively fight my thoughts about it. I know hard conversations need to be had, but right now this is the time to focus on the fun, the memories, and the relationships I have right now which are more important than the “what ifs.” I have no control over the future and it does no good to obsess over what may or may not happen. I learned this lesson in high school. It seems every four years, for the benefit of our career and education, we have to say goodbye to the people around us. Though one of the most stressful parts of life, I must remember that if I hadn’t said goodbye to those around me then, I never would have met the people I met here.
Although this time of change is overwhelmingly scary, real life is knocking at the door and it is important to me that I take every opportunity that is given to me. I hope my loved ones do the same, so I can see the wonderfully beautiful lives they create as well. It is also important to remember the tried and true bonds will stick and you will find time for the ones you really care about. Whether it is spontaneous trips to see one another, FaceTime calls, or just a simple Instagram comment, technology has blessed us with the means to continue to be a part of each other’s lives.